How to add Text to iMovie

Tutorials

Do you often create videos on your Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, or Macbook), and have you considered enhancing those videos with texts or subtitles?

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Apple devices have free software for editing videos, known as iMovie.

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With iMovie, you can add texts to videos, such as titles and subtitles, and even customize the texts to make your videos more accessible and engaging.

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iMovie is pre-installed on all new Macs, iPhones, and iPads, and you can download it for free on the App Store if you use an old iPhone.

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‍This article will show you how to add text to iMovie, along with tips to get the most out of the software. Let’s dive in.

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‍How to Add Text using iMovie for Mac

There are several different versions of iMovie for Mac, but for the purpose of this article, we’ll use iMovie 9/11 and iMovie 10.

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Add Texts using iMovie 9/11 for Mac

To start, transfer the footage straight to the timeline by dragging it into it, then follow the steps listed here.

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Step 1. Click the Text button to display the list of text slides.

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Step 2. Choose the right text slide from the list and move it to the Project timeline. You can place the slide on top of others or keep it as a standalone slide.

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‍Step 3. To enter text editing mode, simply double-click within the viewer interface. If you wish to adjust font attributes, click "Show fonts," make your changes, and save them by clicking "Done."

Alternatively, you can open the text inspector by double-clicking on the project timeline to modify transition and placement attributes.

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Add Texts using iMovie 10 for Mac

‍If you're using a different version of iMovie, such as iMovie 10.1.1, the process is a little different.

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After importing your media into the timeline, position the cursor where you want to insert text. Switch to the "Titles" tab. Here, you'll find various Title Presets to choose from.

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Now, you can easily add standard titles, Lower Thirds, scrolling credits, and more by dragging and dropping them onto the timeline.

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You can adjust the duration of these text effects by dragging the edges to suit your needs.

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Adding text in iMovie has some downsides, which include not being able to adjust the text position manually.

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However, if you want to adjust your text position quickly, you can use Submagic. Submagic is an auto subtitle generator that helps you generate and edit subtitles within 2 minutes.

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How to Add Texts to iMovie on iPhone

‍Adding texts with iMovie on an iPhone may be inconvenient due to the smaller screen, but the process is straightforward.

Step 1. Launch the iMovie app on your iPhone. Tap on a video of your choice to get access to the inspector controls.

Step 2. Tap on the Text button marked with a T.

Step 3. Select the right text style.

Step 4. Select the center or lower to change the position of the text appearing on the interface.

Step 5. Tap on Done to save the changes.

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If you want to automatically add subtitles to videos on mobile phones (iPhone and Android), you can refer to how to use Submagic to generate subtitles on iPhone.

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How to Add Text in iMovie on an iPad

You can add text to a video in iMovie using your iPad in just a few steps:

Launch iMovie.
Select the video to which you want to add text.
Press “T” at the bottom.
Pick your preferred text style.
You’ll see the selected style on your screen. Tap it and add the desired text.
When you’re finished, press “Done” at the top-left corner.

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iMovie Alternative to Add Subtitles - Submagic

‍As mentioned earlier, consider Submagic if you want a near-accuracy for your subtitles.

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Submagic is an online tool with a simple interface and a straightforward process for generating video subtitles. You don’t need to enter the subtitles manually.

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With a few clicks on Submagic, you can easily and quickly create accurate captions within two minutes.

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It also allows you to create subtitles in over 48+ languages.

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How to add text Using iMovie alternative- Submagic

Here's a step-by-step guide to adding text to your video using Submagic:

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Step 1: Uploading Process

‍Open your web browser and search for "Submagic.co."

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Select "Create my video now."

Upload your video, ensuring it meets the required format (1080 pixels by 1920 pixels).

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Step 2: Generating Unique Subtitles

‍Personalize your subtitles to match your branding. After uploading your video, you can start customizing it. Change the color, animation, emojis, and timing of text appearance, or switch to a different font to make your video unique!

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Download the video, and your subtitles are ready!

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Submagic makes it easy to add subtitles to Instagram Reels, YouTube shorts, Facebook Reels, and TikTok with just a click.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I edit text in iMovie after adding it?

Once you've picked your text, here's what you can do:

Move it around: Just tap and drag your text to a different spot if you want it elsewhere.
Make it bigger or smaller: Pinch your fingers on the text to adjust its size.
Switch up the font: Tap the "Aa" button to change the text's appearance. You can also choose different colors by clicking the circle next to it. If you want even more font choices, click the three dots.
Change the title style: If you've already added and tweaked your text, but it doesn't quite match the video style, don't worry. You can switch it up without losing your edits. Just click the "titles" button and pick a different style.

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How many text and title templates does iMovie have?

iMovie has lots of different text and title styles you can use. There are many templates to pick from, and you can see how each looks before adding it to your video.

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Can I change the text speed in iMovie?

In iMovie, you can't adjust the speed of the text directly. To make it appear faster, use a shorter template; for slower text, use a more extended template. Unfortunately, you can't fine-tune the speed on your own.

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How can I change fonts in iMovie?

Double-click the text box in the preview screen and go to the Fonts menu. There are many fonts, but remember to select the text you want to change to see the new font on the screen.

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Léo Blanc

Content Creator at Submagic 🧡

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Examples of Videos with automatic captions from Submagic

So many creators currently use Submagic to create captivating automatic captions on their social pages with amazing engagements. Here are a few examples of automatic captioning for videos created with Submagic by creators across different countries in different languages.

Vick Tipnes

@vicktipnes